Irmer said Skoda would offer sedan and wagon versions of the RS 230 in Australia (where it may be rebranded Octavia RS 169TSI, to fit with our naming convention), with local customers so far heavily favouring the load-lugging body style over the liftback throughout the Octavia range.

Its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine gets the same 7kW power bump over the regular Octavia RS, taking its peak outputs to 169kW and 350Nm.

It helps shave one tenth of a second off the Octavia RS sedan’s 0-100km/h time, lowering it to 6.7 seconds, while bumping its top speed up from 248km/h to 250km/h.

Also shared with the GTI Performance is an electronically controlled locking front differential – a first for Skoda – that the car maker says enhances the car’s “dynamic cornering” ability.

Six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch ‘DSG’ automatic transmissions will be made available overseas, though it’s unclear if both will be offered locally at this stage. The GTI Performance is available only with the DSG.

The Octavia RS 230 is distinguishable by its black painted grille surround, mirror caps, roof and rear spoiler, and its unique black and silver alloy wheels. The cabin also gains a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Expect the RS 230 to command a premium of a few thousand dollars over the regular Octavia RS 162TSI, which costs between $36,790 and $40,440 before on-road costs.